So, I have mooted this idea from 13th Age in other forums and now I am asking you to note down any relationships you make have. If not interested, don't bother, but enough players seemed to like the idea I thought I would get things underway. (Besides, our Deadlands group loved it too and we are using it there.

How does it work?

Each player gets 3 Relationship Points.

These are assigned to certain 'groups' (see below for egs) as either Positive, Conflicted or Negative. More than one Relationship Point can be assigned to the same group (though it is not recommended to have all 3 as negative realtionships to one group).

For each point you roll a d10 for each game session. (It is a d6 in 13th Age, but it revolves around their icons - I didn't want as much of this happening). For every 10 rolled you get some meaningful advantage from the relationship. For every 9 rolled you get an advantage, but with some unexpected complication.

Of course, if your PC has not really had a lot of contact with the wider world you don't have to assign all 3 points or put all three points into one connection. I also understand if you don't want to do this at all. Up to you.

So, go ahead and assign your Relationship Points below if you like.

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

A lot of these I am generating from what I know/remember of your PCs BG. You may come up with more, but remember, these should be large, wide-spanning groups/affiliations. The kind of ones that could have an influence in most places. Of course relationships with guilds, local groups can come up 'when you are in that location', but these relationships should be able to come up in many places.

(I can always have location-based relationship dice too if you like. I can put these straight onto the Locations Pages, such as Sandpoint).

Sample Connections from PC BGs

The dwarven deities. (Heroic or Ambiguous to the likes of elves)

The lawful deities. (Heroic or Ambiguous)

The good deities. (Heroic)

The dwarven Sky Magistrates of Janderhoff. (being the central and largest concentration of dwarves in Varisia, this could work). (Heroic or Ambiguous to the likes of elves)

Travelling merchants. (Ambiguous)

The Scarni. (Villainous)

Magnimar government. (Any)

Shoanti tribes. (Heroic to Ambiguous)

Varisian gypsies. (Ambiguous).

Some others off the top of my head

Devils. (Villainous)

Evil deities. (Lamashtu in particular). (Villainous)

Korvosa govt. (Any)

Pirates (of Riddleport). (Villainous)

The Pathfinder Association. (Ambiguous, possibly Heroic).

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

So what do these terms mean? Well, of course 13th Age has a lot on this and you are all welcome to have a look at the book (or better yet, get a copy - it is available in PDF).

The relationship depends not only on whether it is Positive, Conflicted or Negative, but on what type of Affiliation it is: Heroic (or good), Ambiguous (Neutral) or Villainous (typically evil). Of course all of the below assume you are the heroes ;)

Heroic Relationships

Positive: As far as this group is concerned, you are one of the good guys, a white-hat hero. Authorities often help you and civilians trust you. On the down side, you may be called on to serve representatives of the group even when you have other plans. You might also be a target of villainous groups and enemies of this group.Conflicted: You're probably one of the good guys, but for some reason you're suspect to this group. Maybe you're a convict who has served his time, or a soldier who was too good and got drummed out of his legion. You have insider knowledge and allies who are in good with the group, but you also have rivals or even enemies within the group. (I can see Bryak's relationship with the Sky Magistrates fitting here perfectly).Negative: In the group's eyes, you're a dissident, opponent, rival or foe. You may have contacts or inside knowledge that you can use to your advantage, but some form of trouble waits for you wherever this heroic/good group has influence.

Ambiguous Relationships

Positive: Thanks to your relationship with this group, you are a hero to some, a villain to others, and possibly even a monster to a few. The enemies of your friends may turn out to be your friends and vice versa. Advantages and complications will come from all sides.Conflicted: You relationship with this group is complex, an uneven relationship with a group who's a hero to some and a villain to others. One way or another, you can find help or hostility anywhere this group has influence. You don't just live in interesting times - you create them.Negative: Your enmity with this group makes you some enemies, but it also makes you some useful friends. You may be a dissenter, unwanted family member, or even a traitor in some way.

Villainous Relationships

Positive: You are able to gain secrets or secretive allies, but your connection to this group brings trouble from people associated with the heroic groups oppsed to them. Be prepared to justify why you're not imprisoned, interrogated, or otherwise harassed by the heroic groups and their representatives whenever they encounter you. Or, for that matter, by the other PCs.Conflicted: You mostly work against this group, but you're also connected to them in a way you can't deny. Your connection sometimes gives you special knowledge or contacts, but it also makes you suspect in the eyes of many right-minded would-be heroes.Negative: You are a special foe of this group, perhaps b/c of your virtue or possibly for less happy motives. Your enmity wins you allies among right-thinking people, but some of the villainous group's forces are out to get you.

If you want to keep it simple, go with Positive relationships with Heroic (or Ambiguous) groups or Negative realtionships with Villainous (or Ambiguous groups).

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

Furthermore, these relationships don't have to be forced. If your PC doesn't have connections, don't put them down. More importantly don't feel you have to come up with three different ones. Remember, all three Rel Points can be spent on the same relationship. That simply greatly increases the chances of the Org/Group playing a part each session.

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

I placed the above on Novak. I noticed Blair had it on Abbas. I hope others have seen this and added. if you don't have it on sheet, it doesn't exist and that is fine if you choose to ignore this mechanic. Only those with it written will be rolling.

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

I take it people did so? F all traffic going on here. Another whole thread of me talking to myself. PLEASE look at the categories and types of relationships I typed out in full in a post above.

Anyway, if you are not interested in this additional mechanic to bring in your contacts and BG then don't bother. But I intend to make these rolls at the start of the next session.

I am going through PC Sheets now to list these my connections myself, so I can kinda plan ahead if any come up. I am going to copy your Relationship dice to my DM Journal side of things, so if they are not on the sheet, I am not recording them and you won't be rolling for them.

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman

Bryak - not a single one listed on very old PC Sheet.Abbas - Has Chaala and Soldiers of Qadira. No mention of whether they are positive/negative/conflicted or heroic/ambiguous/villainous. (At least I know Chaala is Heroic Positive)?Kathra - not a single one listed on very old PC Sheet.Hargev - has 8 different relationships listed. All are positive or negative (no conflicted - actually the one under negative is then listed as conflicted, so which is it?); none state whether they are h/a/v.Novak - there is no current version of him attached. (I can't remember who has him at moment - I may and will check. Edit: I uploaded the one I have. It only had the Chaala rel on it. I added the T/Back ferry too Nicko).

All info on how relationships work is above. I will add to main site too.

I added the location ones from Hargev to the other PCs on my charts. Up to you guys whether you want them on your sheets. So there you go, not a single PC with all info on there (though Hargev is close - at least you have the relationships on there).

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” – Harry S. Truman